There are 4 garage floor coatings that anyone can apply in 1-3 days. Each one solves various concrete floor problems. Prices range from $0.50 to $3.50 per square foot with unlimited decorative results, from basic gray to custom checkerboard patterns.
1. Interlocking Garage Tiles: Classic car auctions like the Russo and Steele you see on TV have popularized modular interlocking garage tiles. RaceDeck is the clear leader and pioneer of this product. Some of the advantages are
Ease of Installation – Most 2 car garages are between 450 and 500 square feet. Installation is a few hours.
Custom: 8-10 colors can be mixed and matched
Durable – Probably the most durable garage flooring solution, long-term warranties
Prices: Prices around $3.50 per square foot, $1,600.00 for a 450 square foot garage
2. Acid Stained Concrete – Acid stains come in various browns and greens. Garage floors must be clean and free of blemishes. Imperfections such as paint, oil, drywall compound will show up. The concrete must be porous enough to accept the stain. The stains react with the lime in the concrete and create unique marbled results. If the floor is tight and was power troweled, you will need to acid etch to open up the pores in the concrete.
Install: Stain can be applied in a few hours, then rinsed with water to clean residue and neutralize stain reaction. It is critical to let the floor dry overnight. Urethanes can be applied topically to seal and protect the floor.
Pricing: Stain, urethane, and tools are between 50 and $1.00 cents per square foot or about $325.00
3. Concrete Overlays – When your concrete floor has imperfections, which it is most of the time, overlays are a great simple fix. Unlimited colors, overlays can be stained and tinted and sealed with urethanes that will resist hot tires and chemicals.
Installation: Basic applications last 2 days based on dry time. Overlays are 2-coat systems after priming the floor 1-2 times. If the floor is stained and stained, add a day to screen. Seal with a urethane top coat. Not all urethanes work, so be sure to buy a product that is part of a proven system. If the floor is clean, no special preparation is required.
Custom – Depending on your creativity, the floors can be basic colors or highly decorative. Durable – There are some overlays that stick like iron to concrete surfaces and cure like a rock
Price: Includes all hardware and product, $1.50-$2.00 per square foot or $900.00 for a 450 square foot 2-car garage
4. Epoxy Garage Floor Coatings – The best systems have a few coats of primer with a top coat of urethane. Usually about 6-8 colors. Epoxy is an industrial finish and has been used in warehouses for years. The basic epoxy paint found at home improvement stores is usually not strong enough to withstand hot tires caused by road friction. It is critical to outline the concrete floor to give a bit of “tooth” for the epoxy to bite into. There are some acid etching solutions to outline the floor. One of the best is an acid gel that is rolled onto concrete and removed after 15 minutes. Provides results similar to shot blasting.
Epoxy Systems: For garage floors, a water-based or solvent-based primer coat covered with urethane. the strongest system is a primer coat with a second coat of 100% solids epoxy covered with urethane. With this system, colored quartz or color chips can be applied to the wet epoxy when it is on the floor. A second epoxy can be applied the next day with another coat of quartz or chips followed by a top coat of urethane.
Installation: 1 day for surface prep then 2 more days for basic urethane system. For advanced installation with 100% solids epoxy, allow at least an additional day for 1 coat or 2 days for 2 coats.
Custom – Can be basic gray or, for those experienced, unlimited custom decorative results can be achieved. Metallic finishes are available but require professional installation
Durable – very durable. Withstands hot tires and chemicals. Surface preparation is critical for bonding to concrete.
Pricing: Basic urethane systems are about 75 cents per square foot or $350.00 for a 450 square foot 2 car garage. 100% solid system around $1.00 per square foot or $450.00 for a 450 square foot 2-car garage. High build quartz and chip systems are around $2.00 per square foot or $900.00 for a 450 square foot 2 car garage.